Apple criticizes UK bill that could require scanning of encrypted messages

Apple has joined the growing number of organizations opposed to the UK's pending Online Safety Bill, saying the proposed law threatens the end-to-end encryption that protects private messages.

"End-to-end encryption is a critical capability that protects the privacy of journalists, human rights activists, and diplomats," Apple said in a statement reported by the BBC yesterday. "It also helps everyday citizens defend themselves from surveillance, identity theft, fraud, and data breaches. The Online Safety Bill poses a serious threat to this protection, and could put UK citizens at greater risk. Apple urges the government to amend the bill to protect strong end-to-end encryption for the benefit of all."

The BBC quoted a government spokesperson as saying that "companies should only implement end-to-end encryption if they can simultaneously prevent abhorrent child sexual abuse on their platforms."